Multi purpose marine anchor

ABSTRACT

A marine anchor consisting of a shank generally cylindrical in profile having two ends were upon one is affixed the anchor line via a hole, and upon the opposite end, a fluke and/or weight retainer. The shank provides a frame for the fluke assembly and weights there by maintaining all parts in unison. The fluke assembly is placed over and about the shank and seats upon the retainer affixed to the shank. The fluke assembly is made from a flexible material having memory thereby allowing release from entrapment. The components called weights allow the anchor to be weighted to suit the prevailing circumstances and are positioned about the shank. In one version of the invention the Shank, Retainer, and Fluke assembly are molded as a singular unit from a resin like material such as a plastic or rubber type material thus allowing a simplified construction method.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the anchoring of a vessel, namely by using an apparatus acting upon the floor of the body of water upon which it is buoyant, for the purpose of arresting vessel movement. Reasons are such that this would be desirable include, recreational such as fishing or hunting or for non recreational purposes such as temporary offshore mooring so as to wait out a storm in a bay or harbor, seasonal mooring off shore for a sail boat etc or were an extended wait is anticipated such as in prior to locking through a dam.

Prevailing previous anchor designs tend to only be for a narrow purpose and intended use and are relatively non versatile in there applications and use. This invention addresses the short comings of anchors designed primarily for use in a preferred situation by allowing the user to adjust the weight or the friction characteristic of the anchor. It also can allow in one version, the choice of a fluke assembly to be added or removed as might be desired. For example on a clean sand or gravel bottom you may add the fluke assembly to increase digging capability of anchor, or in a situation were you encounter heavy brush such as fishing amongst downed trees or log jams you may desire to remove fluke assembly altogether and add weight so as to aid anchor retrieval but yet retain anchoring ability.

Yet anther benefit of this anchor lies within the flukes themselves in that if they do become entrapped they may be deformed to the point of release but generally return to there normal configuration prior to ensnarement.

An example of previous art would be what are commonly known as river anchors and also grapnel type anchors. They have no means of releasing there flukes from entanglements or snags that render the anchor irretrievable. They likewise have no means of changing anchoring aggressiveness such as added weight or fluke size. Examples of these designs include U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,147, Morissette, Sep. 5, 1978 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,023, Boardman, Jun. 25, 1996.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,416, Zetah, U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,123 BI, Mac Karvich, U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,618, Giles and U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,186, van den Haak are yet another example of anchor design known broadly as navy anchors and also plow type anchors. These have many various configurations some of which have flukes or a plow that release and others wherein the flukes or plow are fixed or merrily pivot a predetermined amount in relation to there shank and offer no means to release the flukes or plow when entrapped. These anchors are dependent upon engagement with the bottom substrates and depend on the ability of the flukes to penetrate a soft medium such as silt, sand or muck, therefore setting tends to be affected a great deal by bottom composition and may fail or be greatly delayed if the bottom is to hard for penetration by the flukes or plow, this typically occurs on rocky or hard clay bottoms that are encountered in a wide variety of environments. The inability of an anchor to set may result in repeated attempts made at anchoring by the angler whereupon the intended quarry may leave the area due to the commotion both overhead and below. Not unlike a dam that can hold back many times its weight in water because off friction, this invention allows a practical and fast increase in anchor weight, there by increasing friction as a means of gripping the bottom when conventional fluke or plow type anchors cannot penetrate it.

Also typical anchor designs such as mushroom and river anchors may require a larger than usual anchor in order to successfully anchor in adverse conditions, this typically would mean that under normal conditions you would be hauling in more weight than desired witch is at best, a nuisance. This invention addresses the problem by allowing a reduction in weight of the anchor when conditions permit thereby decreasing effort required by the persons or apparatus hauling anchor.

A further benefit of this design is size. All the components can be stored on the shank when stowed and not in use and yields a relatively small overall dimension, this is an obvious benefit as on most fishing boats space is at a premium.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is to offer an un before seen measure of versatility to the mariner who is engaged in the act of anchoring a buoyant object, boat etc to the floor off the respective body of water. It is furthermore intended that it be immune to the effects of mechanical failure, offer a certain measure of release-ability, and above all offer the option to compensate for different conditions encountered both above water as in wind influence, vessel load and size, within the water column such as current influences and also be selective in its arrangement so as to offer configurations suitable for the water body bottom substrates encountered, such as hard pan, detritus, rock etc. With these attributes it will be possible to accommodate varying more desirous effects such as reduced retrieval weight when conditions dictate that less aggressive anchor characteristics will suffice. It will be possible to increase anchoring effectiveness on demand which in certain instances is desirable such as in the art of precision angling where precise boat control is beneficial, those skilled in the art will certainly see the advantage attained by the ability to increase the angle of the anchor line in relation to horizontal plane off the water body. The resultant effect is decreased anchor line length witch in turn decreases the range of motion that wind or currents could effect upon the anchored vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

1. Drawing number one is an elevation or side view of invention assembled in full configuration with all weights and fluke assembly installed.

2. Drawing number two is a plan or top view of invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The said invention is comprised of varying components that can be arranged in different configurations to obtain varying desired results. Listed is a physical description of each component and intended function in the assembly, the reader may refer to the drawings so as to gain a more complete under standing of the apparatus.

Part no one “Shank” consists of a generally cylindrical member with two ends where upon one end is a hole were by the vessel is ultimately affixed via a rope, chain or cable and whereupon the opposing end is perpendicularly affixed a body for the purpose of retaining the other components in orderly fashion. Furthermore part no one “shank” works in Concert with part no two “retainer” to hold components no three “weights” and four “fluke assembly” in essence as a singular unit. This part may be made of metal or in one version made of a resin or plastic like material.

Part no two “retainer” consists of a body affixed perpendicular to part no one “shank” sharing similar geometric shape as part number three “Weights” and positioned opposite the line end for the purpose of arresting movement of additional components number three “weights” and four “fluke assembly”. This part typically shares the same construction material as part number one “shank”.

Parts no three “weights” consist of weight modules that could very in geometric shape, octagon, square or circular, etc but would typically be of a shape found to most likely enhance performance, economics of production or both, they also would be of varying thickness and diameter so as to best influence desired anchor properties or operational characteristics such as lying perpendicular to the bottom substrate to facilitate fluke penetration. Parts no three “weights” have also, a centrally located hole to accommodate the positioning of it upon and about the assembly created by parts no one “shank” and two “Retainer”. These weights could be formed of any metal so as to contribute the desired weight to the component.

Part number four “fluke assembly” consists of a member with a pre determined amount of flexibility varying in shape but generally resembling flukes. It will be larger in diameter than part no three “weights” but will also have a central position about and generally perpendicular to part number one “shank” when placed in the preferred assembly. It would typically have a center section resembling in shape part no three “weights” but would be thinner in diameter or thickness than part no three “weight”. Spaced about the perimeter and extending outwardly would be the fluke members who could very in number, size and geometric shape while still falling within the scope and desired intent of the invention. The part would be made from a plastic or resin like material that could be deformed but would have memory so as to return to a normal state after deformation.

Part number five “key” consists of a member with the duty of holding in place parts no three “weights” and four “fluke assembly” when placed about part number one “shank”. It has the intention of preventing movement towards the line end of part number one “shank” and could be as simple as a cotter key placed through holes drilled in part no 1 or grooves that can retain a metal or plastic clip. Improvements to this are not limited and would be considered in future development.

It should be noted that part number one “Shank”, part no two “Retainer” and part no Four “Fluke assembly” may be built as one unified assembly such as by molding with resins or plastic type materials. Metal reinforcement may be added to critical areas to increase strength. The before stated method would yield a version of the invention that would be simplified in construction but would be within the scope of this invention by accomplishing the stated purpose within the basic physical embodiment. 

1. A anchor that allows fluke distortion for the purpose of releasing upon entrapment consisting of a shank, said shank having connection means or hole, said shank having fluke assembly or bottom gripping part said shank and said fluke assembly molded in unison of an elastic polymer or rubber like material, said shank and said fluke assembly being one said fluke assembly opposite said connection means whereby a releasing anchor is created with a minimum of components has no mechanical parts to fail and is economical to build.
 2. The anchor of claim one whose said connection means is considered a critical area thereby further including a metal reinforcement of said connection means thereby decreasing bulk and increasing strength of said connection means beyond what could be attained using only an elastic polymer for connection.
 3. The anchor of claim one wherein said shank further allows placement of a weight or weight modules adjacent to or about it said weights having a positioning means thereby allowing user to quickly adjust weight to conditions.
 4. The anchor of claim one wherein said shank further includes a stop means or key to prohibit movement of said weight towards said connection end thereby keeping components in orderly fashion.
 5. The anchor of claim four wherein said stop means consists of a hole generally perpendicular to the shank axis that receives a key or pin or clip like body thereby keeping said weights in preferred position.
 6. The anchor of claim four further including an improvement wherein said stop means consists of a indentation on the said shank that allows a set screw threaded within a collar like part generally surrounding said shank to engage said indent on said shank there by generally maintaining all components as one body.
 7. A anchor that releases from entrapments or obstructions comprising a elongated or shank like member said elongated or shank like member having hole or coupling means there by allowing attachment to vessel said elongated or shank like member having a retainer or component stop body generally transverse and opposite said coupling means there by allowing positioning of a fluke assembly or bottom gripping means said fluke assembly or bottom gripping means having a positioning means said fluke assembly or bottom gripping means constructed of an elastic polymer like material there by eliminating any mechanical dependency and expense to facilitate fluke release.
 8. The anchor of claim seven that further includes a weight module thereby allowing user to very quickly adjust weight of anchor to preference.
 9. The anchor of claim eight wherein said weight module provides a positioning means thereby allowing said weight body to be positioned in unison with other components.
 10. The anchor of claim nine wherein said elongated or shank like member further includes a positioning means for said fluke assembly or bottom gripping means and there by maintains in orderly fashion said fluke assembly or bottom gripping means and said weight body.
 11. The anchor of claim ten wherein said positioning means is a hole provided in and through said elongated or shank like member generally transverse to shank axis to accommodate a key like member thereby preventing movement of components towards said coupling means and maintaining general order of assembly.
 12. The anchor of claim ten further including a improvement wherein said positioning means consists of a indent in a surface of said elongated or shank like member to accommodate a set screw that is positioned in a collar that is generally surrounding or about said elongated or shank like member were upon said set screw can be tightened to engagement with said indent thereby fixing said collar to said elongated or shank like member there by holding components in order or unison.
 13. A anchor that releases when ensnared and can be weighted to suit desire comprising a grappling or digging part said grappling or digging part made of plastic or rubber like material a frame said frame supplying attachment means said frame supplying stop body generally opposite said attachment means a pin or clip said pin or clip to engage with said frame to restrict movement of said grappling or digging part a weight said weight having means for positioning in proximity with said frame there by allowing user to quickly adjust weight for conditions and yielding an anchor that is not dependant on mechanical means to release from entrapment. 